San Diego Mosque Attackers Shared 'Broad Hatred,' Authorities Say

Authorities have revealed the teenagers who killed three people at a San Diego mosque met online and shared a "broad hatred" toward different religions and races.

Mark Remily of the FBI said during a news conference that authorities had uncovered writings by the suspects.

Investigators declined to specify what ideologies or views were expressed by the shooters.

Thirty firearms and a crossbow have also been recovered from two residences searched in connection to the investigation.

Mr Remily said officers were still trying to uncover whether the shooters had broader plans.

Hours before Monday's attack, police were already searching for the two teenagers after the mother of one teen reported her son was suicidal and had run away.

Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed the report and said weapons and her vehicle were missing from the family's home.

Two hours after her call, the shooting started at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which also houses a school.

The suspects, ages 17 and 18, were found dead in a nearby vehicle.

Authorities search suspect's home

The alleged gunmen have been identified as Caleb Vasquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, the Department of Justice official told Reuters.

Mr Clark's mother is cooperating with authorities, the DOJ official added.

Mr Clark's parents, who are listed in public records as living at the home, did not respond to messages seeking comment, nor did other family members.

James Canning, a spokesman for San Diego Unified School District, said school police were cooperating with San Diego authorities investigating the mosque attack.

Mr Clark had been attending school online since 2021 and was on track to graduate next month, Mr Canning said.

While he did not attend school in person, he did participate in 2024 as a member of the wrestling team at Madison High School in San Diego.

Mr Canning said Mr Clark had no record of disciplinary issues in high school.

Neighbours Marne and Ted Celaya said they last saw Mr Clark a few hours before the shooting and that he waved as he got into a car alone and drove away.

They described the Clark family as good neighbours of more than 20 years and remembered when Cain was born, watching him and his older brother grow up.

"It's unbelievable," Marne Celaya said of the shooting.

'Hate rhetoric' played a role

Authorities have executed search warrants as they piece together how and why the attack happened.

There was no specific threat against the Islamic centre, which is the largest mosque in San Diego, but investigations have found the suspects engaged in "generalised hate rhetoric", according to Police Chief Wahl.

Muslim American organisations were quick to point out that anti-Muslim rhetoric has been on the rise across the US.

"Words have consequences," said Mohamed Gula, interim CEO of advocacy group Emgage Action.

Victims included a security guard

Among those killed was a security guard who authorities said stopped the attack from moving beyond the mosque's front section.

Imam Taha Hassane identified the victims as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad.

Mr Kaziha, known as Abu Ezz, "was everything" to the Islamic Center, Mr Hassane said.

Police Chief Wahl spoke about how the three men helped distract the gunman, preventing a larger tragedy.

Mr Abdullah had worked at the mosque for more than a decade.

"He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard," said Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq, who spoke with Mr Abdullah's son.

In the midst of the confrontation, it was Mr Abdullah who transmitted the radio call that activated security lockdown protocols at the mosque.

Police Chief Wahl said the gunfight and the security alert gave others in the building time to take shelter behind locked doors.

"His actions, without a doubt, delayed, distracted and ultimately deterred those two individuals from gaining access to the greater areas of the mosque where as many as 140 kids were within 15 feet of these suspects," he said.

In a Facebook post, the mosque said those who died were "men of courage, sacrifice, and faith".

"Their absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled."

Search began two hours before attack

Just before the attack, the search for the missing teen intensified as law enforcement gathered more details.

Police found he had dressed in camouflage, raising their alarms, and was with a friend.

Officers used automated numberplate readers to track the car to a mall and went there.

The police chief said while other officers were talking with the suspect's mother, who called police, the first reports of the shooting came from blocks away at the mosque.